According to statistical data, Viet Nam’s total export turnover in 2025 is estimated at approximately 475 billion USD, up 17% compared with 2024. This outcome reflects the concerted efforts of the entire political system in macroeconomic management, market opening, trade facilitation, and the timely removal of difficulties and bottlenecks facing exporting enterprises.

Against the backdrop of mounting disruptions to global supply chains, the government and the Prime Minister have regularly instructed ministries and agencies to closely monitor developments and proactively address emerging issues in import–export activities, treating the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises as a core task of economic management and economic diplomacy.

In line with these directives, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proactively worked in close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies, intensifying engagement with foreign partners to promptly resolve practical trade-related obstacles while preventing prolonged disruptions to the production and export activities of Vietnamese enterprises.

A typical example of this proactive, decisive, and practical approach was the handling of difficulties involving nearly 500 containers of tea exported by Vietnamese enterprises to Afghanistan that were held up in transit at Karachi Port, Pakistan, in recent times. This was a complex and unexpected incident, causing significant losses to enterprises due to rising storage and port charges, while also posing risks to product quality.

Immediately after receiving feedback from enterprises, industry associations and reports from relevant authorities, the government and the Prime Minister paid special attention to the matter, issuing direct and close instructions to the relevant ministries and agencies to urgently intervene and coordinate closely with the Pakistani side to clarify the causes, review jurisdictions, and identify appropriate solutions, with maximum support for Vietnamese enterprises.

The Prime Minister sent an official letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, requesting attention and direction for Pakistani authorities to coordinate in resolving the issue in a timely manner. At the same time, arrangements were made for a direct telephone conversation between the Prime Ministers of Viet Nam and Pakistan to expedite a definitive settlement of the case.

Implementing the government and Prime Minister’s instructions, the Ministry of Industry and Trade took the lead as the coordinating focal point, working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while directing Viet Nam’s representative mission in Pakistan and the Viet Nam Trade Office in Pakistan to intensify direct engagement with Pakistani authorities.

Throughout the process, relevant agencies on both sides maintained continuous exchanges at multiple levels, comprehensively reviewed regulations, clarified the causes of the congestion, clearly delineated jurisdictions among Pakistani authorities, and agreed on handling measures in a flexible manner consistent with legal provisions and international practice, thereby ensuring a balanced approach to the interests of all parties concerned.

As a result of these sustained efforts and close coordination, on December 31, 2025, the Pakistani side issued an official response permitting the handling and release of the Vietnamese tea containers under an appropriate solution. This decision enabled Vietnamese enterprises to carry out the necessary procedures to remove the goods from the port, minimise cost-related losses, preserve product quality, and contribute to stabilising business sentiment and operational planning.

The timely resolution of the difficulties faced by the tea consignments not only directly supported exporting enterprises and domestic tea growers, but also clearly demonstrated the close, flexible and effective leadership of the government and the Prime Minister, as well as the responsibility, efforts and commitment of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and related ministries and agencies in accompanying enterprises and addressing issues arising in international trade activities.

In the coming period, building on these results, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other ministries and agencies will continue to roll out coordinated measures to support exporters, strengthen monitoring, and promptly address emerging challenges, thereby contributing to the maintenance of stable and sustainable export growth for Viet Nam in the time ahead.